“Often in the Western world, kinship is thought of only as human relatives, but in many Indigenous worldviews, kinship includes plants and animals.”

The belief that humans are in kinship with other beings on Earth, especially plants and animals, is essential to Braiding Sweetgrass. Kimmerer argues that recognizing kinship ties between humans and other beings can benefit all parties involved.

“This seemingly trivial grammatical rulemaking in fact expresses deeply held assumptions about human exceptionalism, that we are somehow different and indeed better than the other species who surround us.”

Kimmerer notes that most plant and animal names are not capitalized unless they include the name of a person or a formal place name. She identifies this as an example of the subtle but systemic human exceptionalism that pervades Western ideology, leading humans to believe they are superior to other beings.

“The flourishing was not from Skywoman alone but from the alchemy of all the animals’ gifts coupled with her deep gratitude. Together they formed what we know today as Turtle Island, our home.”

The second chapter of the book is a retelling of a Haudenosaunee and Anishinaabe origin story: Skywoman falls from Skyworld and is rescued by the animals, who make land for her on Turtle’s shell. The story emphasizes both the generosity of the other living beings and the Skywoman’s gratitude for their gifts. Both are necessary for Earth, known as Turtle Island, to flourish.